Thursday, March 10, 2011

Between the holidays, winter festivities, colds, sprained backs & an all-around busy life, there hasn't been a lot of time for jewelry. But with the promise of Spring and all things sweet & new, I've found inspiration in the simple things.

Spending a Sunday making jewelry with a friend I worked on simple sterling & gemstone bracelets, letting the stones speak for the pieces.

As Spring get's closer, the brutal fact is that we still have a bit of winter to go here in Maine, and often the dreaded "cabin fever" syndrome kicks in. For us, aromatherapy is a great way to lift the spirits & that's why we're having a contest at Sweet Mojo's Facebook. Head on over, and give us a quick line or two on the "How do you kick the winter blues?" post. We're giving away a bottle of our "Sunbeam" or "Under The Sun Perfume". Both scents are made with citruses blended with other unique oils for a cheerful & sunny aromatic experience.

Monday, December 6, 2010

My personal mantra this year is, "it's going to be a handmade Christmas". But if you're one of the many who simply doesn't get crafty with it, or maybe you just don't have the time to try your hand at knitting a scarf or booties, then why not consider giving the gift of handmade, or local, or both? I bet your neighbors will thank you.

We've been busy at the Sweet Mojo workshop shipping and making more product for shows, (and yes, folks are doing their Christmas shopping with us).... It's been fun, and we love the repeat business that we've been lucky to have!

I'm showing off our Body Oil, as everyone I know is complaining about dry skin since the weather has changed. I love this Body Oil, my friends love this Body Oil and customers want more. It leaves a light satiny sheen, but if you like that heavy-crisco-like-look, well, then I'm happy to report that this stuff isn't for you! We've got it in about 5 of our current scents, but would be glad to whip you up some in your favorite Sweet Mojo scent!

We've got a great deal going on our Sugar Scrub Sampler 15 Pack. Over the summer we thought it would be a great idea for wedding/shower gifts and envisioned boxes of them appearing like sprinkles of candy at garden & spa parties. Now that Christmas is here, we realize the potential they have for being great stocking stuffers and basket fillers or the perfect gift for teachers and friends at the office.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

This past week, my friend Hope Wallace of Paper Relics came to Maine for the week to help Jolene and I design our website for Sweet Mojo Apothecary. We worked for the first 3 days on the site, then managed to squeeze in a little fun at the end of the week.

Sweet Mojo's site will be ready soon, and we are so excited that our customers will be able to purchase our handcrafted bath & body products directly from our site! If you'd like to hear more about it, just sign up for our newsletter in the right hand column of Sweet Mojo's Blog.

Thursday we spent the day exploring Belfast & Camden, Maine. It was the first time in a while that I had been able to take photos just for fun! On Friday we dug for old bottles in the woods behind my house. Hope got a lot of photos that day, and plans on writing a blog post about it, so keep watching her blog if you'd like to see our little adventure in the woods!

All of the photos I took that day were in Camden Maine.

I can always depend on Hope to get good photos no matter where we may be together!She took all of the photos below.

Abby luvs Hope!

She even did our chalk boards at The Higher Grounds in Hallowell!

Hope likes feet! (you had to be there)

I didn't even know she was taking this!

It was a whirlwhind of a week, but let me tell you, we aren't afraid of a little fun!

If you're into "liking" good stuff on Facebook, why not "like" Paper Relics? Just go here!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Last night I began to sand shards for my class "Repurposed Polymer & Shard Pendant" that I will be teaching at Sweetland Retreat in Manchester, Maine on November, 14th.

I was in the antique business with my Mom for years and have slowly weeded out all of the big stuff. I did keep many old and unique small items for art & such. I seem to have a hard time letting go of little precious items that are broken, chipped or cracked. Hence the boxes of broken pottery & china in my attic. I placed each piece of pottery/china between two towels, put on my safety glasses and started gently breaking up some of these unwanted plates, platters & bowls with a hammer. Last night I sat in my chair with a big platter on my lap and began to sand the edges with a big fingernail file & steel wool.

Soon they will be someone elses treasure that they can wear around their neck!

There are just a couple of spots left in this class!

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I'm super excited!!! Sweet Mojo's website is almost finished... and who but the lovely Hope Wallace is designing it! AND... she's coming to Maine for 6 days to work on the site and do some sight-seeing! It's been quite a few years since we've seen eachother, I just can't wait! I know I say this alot, but I feel lucky to have such great people in my life......

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

So now that Jolene and I have our daily rhythm going with Sweet Mojo Apothecary, I decided it was time to start teaching a few jewelry & art classes this year. In my opinion, there's no better place in central Maine then the wonderful and easy-going atmosphere of Sweetland Retreat in Manchester.

In this class, "Repurposed Shard & Polymer Clay Pendant", you will learn how to turn an old broken piece of pottery/china into a one-of-a-kind pendant. This class is a spin-off from my article in Belle Armoire Jewelry's Summer 2009 issue.

Our tent will have oodles and oodles of cool costume jewelry by Nancy (my Mom) from Vintage Jewelry. I plan on bringing the Junque Revival copper tree loaded up with jewels, and of course Jolene and myself will have of our entire line of products from Sweet Mojo plus new products that you wont find online.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Just wanted to share this wonderful online magazine that I know you fabulous mothers will love! Shannon Hanley from Maine is one of the talented editors and creative forces behind Modern Handmade Child.

And can I just say, you don't have to be a parent to enjoy this cool publication!

Take a peak... you'll love it! Just scroll over the issue to view in full size.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The first two pieces were designed especially for the Spring 2010 issue of A Jewelry Affaire magazine. I had taken a trip to Alaska last year with my hubby for our 10 year anniversary. Yes Maine and Alaska are different, but there are similarities in their rustic beauty. I brought home with me a few pieces of driftwood and lava stone.... once I got back home, I dug through my shells, all found right here in Maine while beachcombing.

"Morning Tide" necklace I wanted to eventually have a small collection of seashore treasures to share and sell. I strove to keep each piece simple, rustic and natural. This vintage jewel has been attatched to a beautiful worn bit of shell.

Big Daddy and I took our annual trip to Jonesport, Maine, and spent a long weekend on his Dad's boat. As always, there was A LOT of socializing with the Beal's Island crew, picnik cruises, dancing on the deck & The Lobster Boat races.

You just can't beat these accomodations!

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Today's my first day back in the workshop and we've made four batches of our Soothing Salt Soaks. We are also experimenting with an all-over body oil spray, that is looking to be FABULOUS! Every day on my vacation was filled with sun-sun-sun, and once we got back to the boat I'd spray the body oil on my sun-drenched skin, and (if I may so myself) my skin looked (and smelled) wonderful. We'll keep you posted on the progress ;)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

In an effort to spread the Sweet Mojo word, Jolene and I decided to set up at some local markets and craft shows this summer. So we set up at the Montsweag Flea Market on Rt. 1 in Woolwich Maine. Though it was slow due to an unstable weather forecast, we were happy with the sales that we made and the folks we met. We think we may have some new customers addicted to our sumptuous products as well!

We are both in the process of getting ready for our vacation, and once we're back, we definetly plan on heading to Montsweag again....

We'll announce the next time we plan on setting up, and if you are a local, we hope you'll swing by and say hello!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

I am hosting an Arts-Crafts & Tag Sale at my house on July 24th & 25th! We will have lots of crafters & artists from the Etsy Maine Team setting up their wares along with Tag sale items & vintage goodies.

I am using my blog today to show the potential vendors the space we will have!

Sweet Mojo & Junque Revival will be set up in the sunroom off the deck. We will also have a table of decorative tag sale items. I'll also be selling some vintage goodies....

We'll close off the driveway and have vendors set up along the frontFor those who like shade, there's plenty of trees to set up under, and for the sun lovers we can start around the gardensAnd id we have enough vendors, we'll take it to the back field!

I am working on the posters now, so I'll post it with all of the details soon!

Artist's Statement

I am a self-taught mixed-media artist specializing in new ways to create found-object jewlelry. I literally grew up in the world of, "all things vintage" and still find old oddities to be my muse along with my home in the country and the natural surroundings Maine has to offer.
~I am now part owner of a fabulous all-vegan bath & body company called Sweet Mojo Apothecary. Our handcrafted products are truly an indulgence for the body & soul.